Our first stop on the Midwestern leg of the Griswold Book Trip of 2009 was the wonderful Kansas City. I have Marlboro Man and our boys with me on this leg, and we’re having a rip-roaring time. We chose the Westin Crown Center Hotel, for no other reason but that Marlboro Man and I both stayed there with our parents when we were children—Marlboro Man, because his dad used to travel to Kansas City to do some of his agricultural banking.

Me, because…well, it probably had something to do with shopping.

I’ll show you our room later (you’ll giggle your head off). For now, let’s look at the other stuff. Here’s the lobby.

And if you’re staying in any hotel with two boys under the age of ten, I highly recommend choosing one with escalators.

It can make the difference between borderline insanity and complete psychosis.

Okay, so my boys aren’t that bad. They’re prone to impromptu UFC matches in public places, but at least they’re smiling.

There was a lush rainforest at the top of the escalators.

I didn’t have time to explore much, but word on the street was that there was a shopping area beyond this line.

Fun Trivia: Hallmark is headquartered in this, the Crown Center area of Kansas City. I believe they built this hotel, because they cared enough to send the very best. But I’ll have to check my facts on that to be sure.

The hotel had a great workout room. This means nothing to me since—HA!—that’s not my idea of a relaxing hotel stay.

But Marlboro Man arose both mornings and ran a couple of miles on the treadmill, because he’s a stud and I’m not.

Marlboro Man said that the workout room was one of the best he’s seen in a hotel.

Not that Marlboro Man is a world traveler or anything. But still. He does know a good weight room when he sees one.

The very heated pool on a very cold day. Marlboro Man and the boys swam yesterday for about an hour.

Then they passed out for three. Hot pools on cold days are very exhausting!

And now.

And now for the room.

A little background: Because I knew we’d have our boys with us, I’d reserved two standard, connecting rooms. It’s usually how we do things, and because the hotel was almost totally sold out, I didn’t have many other options.

When we arrived at the hotel Sunday evening after driving from home with two boys under the age of ten, I left Marlboro Man to get our bags out of the car so I could run inside and check in. I like checking in. It makes me feel powerful, and it makes me not have to get the bags out of the car, which is just too strenuous and boring for me.

I gave the guys at the front desk my name and he pulled up our reservation. Then I did something I’ve never done in my life, because I never want to inconvenience anyone or ask anyone for any favors because I’m a middle child. I said, “Say, you don’t happen to have any specials or free upgrades to suites right now, do you? I just traveled all day (okay, four hours) with my two little boys and I was hoping to spread out a little bit.” I knew before I asked that the answer would be ‘no’ since the hotel was so full, but I decided to ask anyway.

I’d taken an extra vitamin that morning.

The nice man at the front desk did some clicking and looking, then he said “I’ll see what I can do” before disappearing into the back room for a minute or two.

When he resurfaced, he told me that he did, in fact, have a larger room available, and that he’d be happy to upgrade our reservation at no charge. I was surprised and said something along the lines of, “Oh, thank you so much! You’re my new favorite person on earth! Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!”

Or something like that.

As we were heading up to our room, I told Marlboro Man that I’d secured for us a slightly larger room, and to stick with me from now on because I’m a woman that gets things done.

He laughed at me.

Then we opened the door to our room. Then we both started laughing.

I can see why this room wasn’t taken. It’s so big, guests might get lost.

It’s a huge suite, with guest rooms on either end. Here’s the doorway into our bedroom on one end.

Lots and lots of space!

And here’s the boys’ cozy little room on the other.

And the view was beautiful—straight down to the Liberty Memorial. Gorgeous!

From a review standpoint, the only thing I’ll point out is that the decor is just a little out of date—probably early nineties-ish, if I had to pinpoint an era of hotel room decor. This doesn’t bother me in the least, but in this age of ultra-contemporary hotel rooms, I thought I’d mention it. I know the rest of the hotel has updated rooms (I peeked in an open one that was being cleaned as I was walking down the hall), and I imagine this room—between business meetings, parties, and receptions—hardly has enough time off to worry about a silly little redecoration.

And let me tell you this: It was clean (the bathrooms were spic and span), extremely spacious, totally comfortable, very warm and cozy…and the beds were absolutely dreamy.

And for this traveling mother who brought along her highly spirited country boys, I couldn’t possibly ask for more than that.

Thank you for the upgrade, front desk guy! You made our stay in Kansas City so nice and comfy.

327 Comments

Don’t you love KC?! I think it is like a ‘big’ Tulsa, just colder! And such yummy barbecue! Your hotel room view is killer!

302

marianne On Wednesday, November 18 at 3:39 pm

wow, your boys are catching up with your girls in the height department. Look at those legs! I think it’s fantastic that you’re taking your kids, 2 at a time, along with you. It gives them a different kind of mom/dad time as well as letting them see more of the country.

303

Jill On Wednesday, November 18 at 3:50 pm

When I grow up, I wanna be PW……….You ROCK!
PS -I am old enough to be your Momma!

Little apple tally On Wednesday, November 18 at 5:11 pm

A little trivia here….. The Crown Center, when it first opened, occasionally had copperheads in that lobby where the hillside and water are all built right in. After all, it was their home first. But I imagine they’ve dealt with them all, transferred them to another venue, something like that. Your ranch boys would have known how to deal with them, I’m sure.
Star, this hotel connects to the Hyatt by an overhead walkway. Works for big conventions that way.

306

Deb da Amazon On Wednesday, November 18 at 6:35 pm

That last picture would be great in a frame. Your guys couldn’t be cuter! It makes me want to hug the dickens out of them!!

domenico On Wednesday, November 18 at 7:24 pm

patricia On Wednesday, November 18 at 7:35 pm

I love traveling, thanks for taking us along Ree, Hugs!!!

310

jennifer On Wednesday, November 18 at 7:38 pm

I love how the Westin, Crown Center, the Hyatt, and Union Station are all connected. Our daughter is a patient at Children’s Mercy, just a few blocks from there. The first time we went there, the Ronald McDonald House was full, so we had to find a hotel. Kate was just 3 weeks old and thankfully was able to stay with us during the nights and have procedures and tests during the day. New mom and dad, 3 week old sick baby, away from home, didn’t bring much money for hotel expenses as we thought we would be in the hospital or McDonald house= stress! As we checked in at the hotel they saw her hospital band and let us stay there in a beautiful room for next to nothing. They were so kind and supportive. We didn’t pay for any extras, they provided our meals, amazingly wonderful people.

I’m glad to hear you enjoyed your stay here in Kansas City. I tried to make it to your book signing but with children of my own, that was out of the question this time. I hope you’ll make it back soon.

312

lee On Wednesday, November 18 at 8:26 pm

wow!!! really nice!!
have fun always!!!

313

jan On Wednesday, November 18 at 8:42 pm

Junior prom… me and my husband, in front of the indoor fountains… prom in the ballroom. memories.

314

Jo On Wednesday, November 18 at 10:44 pm

That is very cool. You were very brave to ask, and the front desk guy was awesome for helping you out. Yay front desk guy!

315

SusanL On Wednesday, November 18 at 11:18 pm

The house I grew up in wasn’t that big!

316

cecelia On Thursday, November 19 at 12:29 am

wow…again. I laughed when I saw the pix of that room – that is bigger than lots of people’s houses…very very fun. The view was really cool too. My fav would have been the rain forest at the top of the escalators. Great memory for your boys.

317

Merideth On Thursday, November 19 at 9:08 am

OHMYGOSH!!! I’ve BEEN in that hotel! (I’m from NC) During the Christmas season they have all these beautifully decorated Christmas trees (some hanging from the ceiling) and all these beautiful Santas (some ON the rocks of the waterfall). And yes, there is some of the MOST wonderful shopping back there! A Crayola store, where you can make up your own pack of crayons (with crayons you made!), a Hallmark store that beats any rinky-dink version in our local malls! It’s a FABULOUS place, I can’t believe you didn’t at least check it out!

318

Karen Branscum On Thursday, November 19 at 11:04 am

Wow….I think that is totally awesome….and your right…you don’t know….till you ask….and ask nicely don’t you think? Good for you Ree….you deserve some pampering and so do the Men in your life…..

319

T Ray On Thursday, November 19 at 11:07 am

Wow! You just gave me the courage to ask for an upgrade at my next hotel visit. I can only hope I have your luck!!!

Ah, Ree, it’s not just boys under 10 that Loooooovvveee escalators. My 50 year old hubby and 17 year old baby boy were ‘kindly asked to refrain’ from escalator-type mayhem at the King of Prussia Mall…..they just get bigger, they don’t grow out of it (psssst, I bet if you weren’t lookin’ MM might have had a run at one of those escalators with the boys)

321

Laura On Thursday, November 19 at 10:29 pm

Aw, seeing the view of the Liberty Memorial made me miss KC just a little bit. Just a couple minutes drive from my old apartment.

FYI–there’s a great dog park right by in Penn Valley Park. Good dogs and great people there. I wish I could have brought that place (and the human and canine friends my pooch and I made there) with me to Philly. ~sniff~

322

Kim On Monday, November 23 at 10:42 am

Hee hee! Love KC — used to live just on the other side of the Plaza. But what’s funny is that a few years back, I attended a very raucous New Year’s party in that SAME room — can tell by the view & furniture & art.

323

Bridget On Wednesday, November 25 at 4:43 pm

It’s a gorgeous hotel. I travel a lot for business and have walked through it…but never stayed there. Since the least expensive room is $725 per night! I do envy you, Woman…..

324

Leah On Monday, November 30 at 1:13 pm

I love the Westin Crown Center!! Was that Tall Paul with the boys?? He’s the best. The National Association of Farm Broacasting has their annual meeting there every year for like the last 30 and that’s where we have stayed. The Presidential suite has been home to many late night visits with the association members in those suites enjoying the great view! So glad you stayed there and enjoyed it. It’s a treasured hotel for NAFB members. Tall Paul is great as he usually knows members by name. I haven’t been able to attend for a few years and you brought me right back. Thanks!

325

Eric Patterson On Wednesday, December 2 at 6:16 am

So glad to see the the “Crown” is still the pinnacle of hotels in KC. It was the place we used to go for special shopping trips, or eating out with grandparents when I was young.

326

Amy On Saturday, December 5 at 1:32 pm

Loved that you loved KC. Yes, the Westin is a little outdated, but so is all of Crown Center. I think Hallmark is a little busy with their greeting cards to worry about it. Love your blog. It’s my new favorite. My hubs spent a little time looking after I was raving about it, and now he wants to leave his cubical as an engineer and become a rancher. No, I’m not even kidding you in the slightest. Need some help and he’s there.

327

Lesley On Thursday, December 31 at 2:04 pm

This is the hotel I grew up going to every second Thanksgiving with my extended family. We did it again this Thanksgiving. I have pictures of us by that rainforest waterfall as little kids, teenagers, and now grownups with our own kids. It’s got a special place in my heart. I’m glad you picked it! Oh, and it’s also most excellent for late-night elevator races. Not that I would know.